Mindfully meditate: with your eyes and inner eyes open

My 30-minute meditation session did not yield any major personal changes like those experienced by Adams and Reese, but I did notice I was much more relaxed and awake once it was over.

Meditation relaxes the mind, helps the body

Once known as spiritual discipline practiced in Eastern cultures, meditation has now found itself in the mainstream, with many touting its health benefits.

Hundreds turn out to celebrate early graduation of cancer patient

People crowd SELF school's gymnasium in Valparaiso during Friday's special graduation ceremony for 19-year-old Bret Laczynski.

Hundreds turn out to celebrate early graduation of cancer patient

Bret Laczynski's father, Todd Laczynski, left, and mother Lisa Hood hug Friday after Bret's special early graduation from SELF school in Valparaiso.

Hundreds turn out to celebrate early graduation of cancer patient

Bret Laczynski, 19, is given his diploma Friday by Chesterton High School Principal Jim Goetz during a special early graduation ceremony at SELF school in Valparaiso.

Hundreds turn out to celebrate early graduation of cancer patient

Bret Laczynski's father, Todd Laczynski, wipes his eyes Friday during a special early graduation ceremony for his son at SELF school in Valparaiso.

Hundreds turn out to celebrate early graduation of cancer patient

Family friend Holly Jo Johnson of Orland Park, Ill., hugs Bret Laczynski on Friday after his early graduation from SELF school in Valparaiso.

Hundreds turn out to celebrate early graduation of cancer patient

Nineteen-year-old Bret Laczynski gets a kiss from his mother, Lisa Hood, while surrounded by family during his early graduation ceremony from SELF school in Valparaiso. Bret was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 10 and has developed an inoperable form of cancer.